Thursday, September 22, 2005

Yes, we ARE in the path of Rita as of Thursday afternoon. We are inland, but may get hurricane force winds. We have supplies. We are staying. Please say prayers for us and the entire Texas Gulf Coast area! I'll be mostly offline before the storm to leave my telephone open. May be without electricity for some time afterwards......so don't get anxious! I'll be back to give a word of how we faired as soon as it's over and we have electricity and phone service!

Saturday, September 17, 2005

I've always heard there is a first time for everything, and now I believe it! All week things have been rather quiet on the job front. So yesterday I indulged myself in more computer time just to play. I played hearts and read many of your journals. Then I set the anti-virus to updating and ate a bite, watched the noon news. When I came back to the PC, I had an e-mail from a place I went and interviewed at last week wanting me to phone. I signed right off and before I could organize myself to make the call, the phone rang and it was them! Seems I got the job! Yippee! A little bit of a drive, but decent pay and good part-time hours. Can I start on Monday? Oh, sure. Will I run down and do paperwork today and get the drug test out of the way. No problem. I will once again be part of the competant, reliable, clerical world.

So, I change clothes and go right down. Fill out the forms. Take the little cup to the restroom. Mind you this is my first ever drug screening. Anywhere I have ever worked before only required it for drivers or someone operating equipment. But I know it is widely used in all circumstances today and being straight as an arrow, I gladly, willingly, submit my sample. The nice young lady calls me back. A few more finalities and I'm outta here, right? Humph! She says, "Mrs. H., there's a problem with your drug test.....you tested positive for opiates." HUH??? Come again?!?! I squeek out "What?" She repeated herself. Then, slowly the lightbulb goes off in my head.....opiates.......hydrocodone....known as codeine.....an opium derivative! "Oh, I took my husbands high-powered prescription cough medicine last night!" She noticably lets out a sigh. Relief? "Well, I can certainly tell you have a very scratchy voice." "Yes, I've had drainage and when I do, I commonly get intense coughing fits as soon as I lay down to sleep. It started over the weekend. I rested very poorly Tuesday night, and Wednesday hubby said, 'Hey, I have some cough medicine left over from my cold in June." "Well, I'll have to check with supervisors.....I'll call you." Okay, I understand. I said, "I can't believe I failed my first ever drug test!" On the way home I told myself, oh, well.....what will be will be. Stopped in the drug store for some Mucinex, so I won't be keeping opuim in my system. Came home and told hubby.......He was shocked. Then he laughed.....the obserdity of his "gooddie-two shoes" wife failing a drug test. Felt kinda like I was Lucy and he was Ricky.

Phone call.....It's her! "Barbara, they still want to hire you. Just please bring the bottle in with you Monday, even though it is in hubby's name, just so they can document why you failed." Whew! Do I look too old and unhip to be a dope-head? Or could they detect the soft light of Christ shining in me.....knowing I was clean? So, all's well that ends well.

And hubby is getting a tremendous kick out of sharing this antedote with everyone he knows! ;)

Now for a Bug first. She came home on Thursday, so very excited......floating on air. Seems that in P.E. when she handed a ball to a boy, he said "Thank you very pretty girl." She told her teacher, her classmates, her friends on the bus, her bus driver (who is Aunt Mary), Bubba, me and Daddy. Then yesterday she came in with a grande announcement. They are now boyfriend and girlfriend.

She doesn't know his name though. Details......never let details stand in the way of love.

Thursday, September 15, 2005

You're a slightly tarnished metal key, and youunlock the wardrobe. At first glance, you seemto present only simple, everyday things, butanyone who looks deeper will find much more.Just don't expect everyone to believe in you,and those who don't may not grasp your worth.

You have insight on what it means to turn your life around and try to live for God. You really want people to understand the deeper things of God, but have a tendency to come across as pushy and prideful...and at times, maybe you are. But you know your weakness and work hard at trying to temper it with grace and compassion.

Seems about right......as Romans is one of my Favorites and I am often perceived as such. What about you?

Monday, September 12, 2005

He answers prayer, He answers prayer, He answers prayer, He's so good to me!

Well, low and behold what was finally in the mailbox on Saturday?! Pete's 1st little unemployment check! I've got to be honest, things were starting to look rather grim and glum around here. Yet, small as it is, we knew that it would never met and cover all that needed to be in time.

Then what does God send yesterday afternoon?! Men from my dear sweet little church, with a check and groceries! Seems during services yesterday morning, while I was teaching Children's Church, they asked Bubba to go outside and measure some windows, to get him out of the way. Then they discussed and decided to send a little help our way!! I had not asked for any (from man, just God). As is usual for me, I was waiting till the last minute to seek any help.

Dear ones, this is just one of the many reasons our Lord designed His church to be a body of believers....not believers scattered about to themselves. So He can reach down and meet our needs through the precious Holy Spirit's leading and the Saints.

I was regretting the past and fearing the future. Suddenly my Lord was speaking: ""My name is I am."" He paused. I waited. He continued, ""When you live in the past with its mistakes and regrets, it is hard. I am not there. My name is not I WAS. When you live in the future, with its problems and fears, it is hard. I am not there. My name is not I WILL BE. When you live in this moment, it is not hard. I am here. My name is I AM. Helen Mallicoat

Saturday, September 10, 2005

Dear Sam played the game with us, but chose to let me post his answer here on my journal. If you haven't been by Sam Says, go by and read a while. He is wise, and kind and reflective. Now, here's Sam's answers:

The tag game appears to be fun.

I read some on the other journals and enjoyed reading them. Thanks for sending them. There are at least 7 things would like to do, though while thinking of them, wishing could be able. Each day thanking God can get out of bed and care for myself. Very few aches or pains, thankful, sort of seems like going up a steep hill most of the time. If you've ran out of gas while driving, that's me.Not much power. I enjoy every day. I am a good cook and have vegetables and fruit, can afford anything wanted, like lean meat burgers, the store where I buy lean burger, they grind the unsold steaks into hamburger, really good stuff. Can bake good yeast bread and cinnamon rolls, was gaining too much weight so seldom bake yeast bread anymore. I cannot sing or dance. Wish could. Beautiful eyes , smile likewise has my friend. She is my age,wonderful friend in Jesus. Things I say, Lord help me bring people to Jesus.Some men may think it too complicated. So simple to ask Jesus to be best Friend and Save me. Jesus is our only mediator, according to scripture we can talk to Him 7/24/365. I raise eyebrows when people say, God told me this or that. Not disputing it, however, I pray for quidance and wisdomaccording to His Will. About Crushes. None recently, though during young years, Kathrine Hepburn was the kind of lady that was beautiful in my eyes. She did'nt use heavy makeup, even in recent years before she died, remained a beautiful lady. It is sad that in this present day so many pretty girls are leaning to trashy ways. Many are not, and will be happier in later life if trying to follow Jesus. I have did many things not proud of. However, scripture assures that if we sincerely turn to Jesus as personal Savior, we are forgiven and a child of God.

Friday, September 9, 2005

Okay.......I was tagged!!! Linda tagged me over at Footprints in the Sand. I have been too busy to post my response. So here it is. Go check out Linda's too! Here goes my answers, sort of tongue in cheek:
Seven things I plan (hope) to do before I die:
1. See my hubby come to the Lord!
2. Go on a honeymoon, with current hubby......we never had one.
3. See my children get married.
4. Be there for the birth of my grandchildren.
5. Go dancing with my hubby who does not dance.
6. Have a clean house with a place for everything and everything in its place.
7. Live long enough to be old enough I can say whatever I want and people have to excuse me for my age.
7 things I can do:
1. Cook excellent pies, cakes and cookies.
2. Sew, but I hate to.
3. Drive through mud bogs and pipelines, thanks to hubby.
4. Make someone laugh when I feel feisty.
5. Spread the word about Jesus.
6. Bray like a donkey, we had a jenny while I grew up.
7. Sing songs from the 1930's!
7 things I can't do:
1. Make my hubby accept the Lord.
2. Get anyone to put their stuff where it goes.
3. Cook anything with yeast in it!!?
4. Stay mad for long.
5. The splits.......never could.
6. Be cruel to an animal or child.
7. Wink my left eye.
7 things that attract me to the opposite sex:
1. Nice eyes.
2. Warm smile.
3. Long slender fingers like my daddy.
4. Confidence.
5. Kindness and manners.
6. Dressed well, not sloppy.
7. Smells good.
7 things I say most often:
1. I love you.
2. Just a minute.
3. Oh, okay, I guess.
4. Do we need feed?
5. Where's your glass?
6. I don't know.
7. Turn that down.
7 celebrity crushes: (over the years)
1. Stoney Burke (the guy who played the lead in Hawaii 5-0, in his role before Hawaii 5-0. I was 4 years years old.)
2. DavidCassidy.....in the Partridge family.
3. Richard Greer in some roles.
4. Bobby Sherman.....any one remember?
5. Donny Osmond .......I was at that age.
6. George Clooney.....the way he looked on ER.
7. Alan Jackson, cause he looks sorta like Pete
People I want to do this ( Is there anyone left??!):TerrieMGMTurnerGravyDogg55LindaPaulineLoriImperfectly AverageLet's try those! Okay? You are tagged!

Saturday, September 3, 2005

It was March 12th. I was 23 and he was 21. I went to work in my off-white dressy dress. Pete went shopping at Beall's for a new outfit. Changed at his brother Tommy's house and picked me up at work right before lunch. I had asked my boss for half a day off for personal reasons. We drove over to the County seat to the courthouse. We bought our marriage liscence. Not waiting period then.....HIV wasn't full blown yet. Then we went upstairs and down the hall to Justice of the Peace's office. But they were closed for lunch so we went to a local hamburger joint in town and had a bite ourselves.

Then back to the JP's office. His name was Pete McKinney and my Pete had worked for him off and on. We exchanged vows right there in his office. I was so nervous I could hardly get my words out. I had no ring for Pete. He slipped Mom's ring on my hand. (I had already lost Mom and Dad by this point......didn't think I could enjoy a traditional wedding without them there.)

From Kountze we went to Tommy' house and his wife, Julie ran out and got a cheap bottle of champaign to toast us with......took pictures of us.....Pete holding me in his arms. I phoned my sister from there to tell her what I'd done. She was very happy for me.....and I think relieved she didn't have to plan a wedding! lol

When we left there we went and got a loan at a bank! lol Talk about startingout in debt! But we needed to pay my stepfather for improvements he had made on the house we were going to make our home.

Then we took off up the road to visit Pete's older cousins who he had been living with and tell them the news. Had to twist his arm to get him home with me! lol Unusual, probably......and neither of us asked the other to marry them, so I'm still not quite sure how it all came about!?!

Well, it's all anyone is talking about.....Katrina and it's aftermath......so I suppose I'll wade into the waters, too. Many of the journals that are listed in my sidebar have good comments and well wishes on them. I want to specifically mention Sweeping the Cobwebs of My Mind, because she has a list posted of the countries who are offering aide to the US in our time of crisis and need. I do hope our nation accepts many of these offers.....as how often does a nation truly have the chance to help the US? And if they are sincere, would it not be a slap in thier face to refuse their help? It is our very self sufficient and self indulgent image that often sets others teeth on edge.

My overwhelming question is not as much why isn't help pouring in quicker, but why were so many ever left in the city in the first place....when they were calling for a manditory evacuation. Did they not know how many were there that had no means to evacuate? Why didn't they commander Greyhound and such? Perhaps the strains of the song from 25 years ago were echoing in their ears....."don't mind the strains of a hurricane, they come round every June....that dark black water, she's the Devils daughter, she's hard and she's cold and she's mean, but we finally taught her it takes a lot of water to wash away New Orleans."

In a more personal and local vane, we are 30 miles NE of Beaumont, TX. I am proud of how our state is responding to our LA neighbors. In Beaumont both Lowes and Home Depot have pledged to match donations dollar for dollar. People are coming up to the shelters, asking what is needed, leaving and returning a short time later with those very items. Some are going to shelters to bring people home with them to live. The state is leaving agency's open for the weekend that might assist those in need. Tiny counties and metropolitan areas together. Already helping willing people find jobs. Others being rushed through for emergency food stamps and aide. I am very proud of my state.....and especially of those in my area! Though it may very well mean the jobmarket I am trying to enter may get very conjested!!

A local channel put up a computer generated thing.....they took what happened in LA with Katrina and ran a program where instead Beaumont took a direct hit from a catorgory 5 hurricane. Everything South of I-10 would be under water.....a surge up the Neches River would come all the way up the river bottom just shy of us.

Terri over at Farm Life asked about gas and prices in our areas. I went to the feedstore earlier today. They were out of all grades of fuel, but expecting a drop this evening. The other store I passed only carries reg. unleaded.....they had it for $2.79/gal. Probably an older drop.

I hear many wondering about end times. My own veiw is when I see Jesus desending toward the earth....as the sun rises in the morning......I'm out of here! All disasters will accelerate certainly. Wars and rumors of wars. Famine and pestilence. All these things have long been with us, and will be right up to the end of the earth. Are they truly intensified, or is it the vast expansion in knowledge and communication that makes it seem so? Both I think. In my head I wonder if there is some poetic justice in that we (our government) supported Isreal making refugees out of many of their own citizens.......so did a Higher Authority make refugees of many of ours? You see so many wrecked casinos and gambling barges.........did this make this area a target? Or in His infinate mercy did God turn the brunt of the storm just in time....that the levy's did wait almost a day to fail....that water did not rush in so fast as to drown every person left there? I am neither Bible scholar enough nor saint enough to be certain of any of it. But I do know my Sweet Savior. And I know that he tarries that all may have time to repent and turn to Him. I know His mercy is unending and His love and forgiveness everlasting.

I do not know why my last entry would not allow comments. I checked my settings and they are correct. If anyone trys to comment this time and cannot......please shoot me an e-mail, so I can shoot AOL. lol No, so I can get with them and see what's wrong. Anyone wishing to comment on the previous entry I am so sorry for the inconvience, but it's beyond me!

Thursday, September 1, 2005

I've received the same e-mail several times lately, calling for folks to boycott the major oil companies in an effort to force some price lowering. After some consideration, I decided to share some information that might be helpful to you. I worked 6+ years for an oil distributor. Here's the sad truth.

There are "branded" stations and "unbranded" stations. A branded station clearly displays an oil company's name.....this is largely for credit card purposes. An unbranded station carries no oil company name and accepts only major credit cards.

Even if you could keep up with buy outs and purchases to know who truly owned a company, you'd be hard put making sure you weren't buying gas from them anyway.

Some branded stations accept "drops" from only thier company's rack. (A drop is a fuel delivery. A rack is what the tanker trucks load the fuel from.) Others allow drops from different racks.

As for unbranded stations, well their gasoline could come from any rack at all and could vary load by load as the distributor probably bids whichever rack is cheaper that day.

Just wanted to mention it for what it is worth.........do whatever you feel you've got to do.

As a side note, did you know that there is no "plus" or "mid-grade" refined? They achieve this product by mixing x number gallons reg. unleaded with x number gallons super.